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Category: News
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AIRAH calls for industry to unite at Census time
As part of its World Refrigeration Day 2021 celebrations on June 26, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) is calling on those involved in HVAC&R to highlight this vital sector in their response to the 2021 Census of Australia. The Census takes place Tuesday, August 10. AIRAH is rallying its members […]
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Queensland will adopt licensing reforms when “fully ready”
The Queensland government has indicated it will be working with the Commonwealth to resolve issues around automatic mutual recognition before adopting the reforms, due to take effect on July 1 around Australia. “The Queensland government is supportive of improving occupational mobility to support economic recovery, but not at any cost,” says the government. “It is […]
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New comprehensive guide to refrigeration
Fundamentals of Refrigeration is a new manual published by Volker Stamer, Director of the international Bitzer training centre Schaufler Academy. According to Bitzer, the text is a comprehensive guide to refrigeration, with a wealth of basic information aimed at new entrants to the industry, and extensive reference material that will serve experienced refrigeration technicians. “The […]
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Dr Bronwyn Evans honoured in Queen’s Birthday list
Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans has been appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) for significant service to engineering, to standards and to medical technology. As well as possessing a background in electrical engineering, Dr Evans has been an important figure for promoting the engineering sector and mentoring young […]
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Monash University inks MoU with Engie to accelerate Net Zero Initiative
Monash University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global energy company Engie. The two organisations will explore opportunities to co-develop scalable zero-carbon solutions that accelerate the implementation of Monash’s Net Zero Initiative, winner of the 2018 United Nations “Momentum for Change Award”. As part of its broader scope, the collaboration to be developed […]
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ARBS Foundation publishes new research on chilled beams
The ARBS Education and Research Foundation and Team Catalyst have published a detailed study of active chilled beam systems that they say offers “groundbreaking findings”. Funding was provided to Team Catalyst to research active chilled beam systems and to compare the performance of two chilled water plant configurations: Standard using chilled water plant of multiple […]
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Purpose-built quarantine facilities a must for every state
Australian governments must construct purpose-built COVID-19 quarantine facilities in every state regardless of the nation’s progress with vaccinations. So argues leading epidemiologist at UNSW Sydney, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, who says the buildings could be constructed relatively quickly and cheaply as modular structures using prefabricated components. Although the federal government has now agreed to fund a […]
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Alfa Laval publishes white paper on sustainable refrigerants
Heat transfer specialist Alfa Laval has published a white paper offering guidance on selecting and accommodating refrigerants for diverse heating and cooling applications. The document, titled Navigating a changing refrigerants market, was developed by the company as a response to customers seeking guidance when choosing from the growing range of new refrigerants generally, and natural […]
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To infinity and refrigeration
A team of engineers from Purdue University, Air Squared Inc and Whirlpool Corporation are collaborating to build a refrigerator for astronauts that works in zero gravity – and upside down. The team ran tests last month on their fridge design at the Zero Gravity Corporation’s (ZERO-G) weightless research lab. The unique testing centre allowed them to test the […]
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Greenstar achieves carbon neutral certification
Although the HVAC&R industry has often shown its power to reduce emissions through innovative net zero projects and technology, there are fewer examples of companies that have taken on the challenge themselves as organisations. Perth-based HVAC and electrical firm Greenstar has now done this by earning carbon neutral certification through Climate Active. Climate Active is […]
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Energy Efficiency Council names Dr Mary Stewart new President
Dr Mary Stewart has been named President of the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC). She replaces Professor Tony Arnel, who stepped down after six years. A recognised expert in sustainable development, Dr Stewart is a trained chemical engineer, and CEO of energy and climate risk advisory firm Energetics. “It is a great honour to take the […]
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Why is R404A still a go-to option in Australia?
Despite its tag as an “outgoing” refrigerant in the HFC phase-down, there are signs that R404A remains a go-to option for key sectors of Australia’s HVAC&R industry. According to experts, pressure from end-users for low first-cost and straightforward, low-risk solutions, and a lack of incentives to move to new technologies have made R404A an ongoing […]
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IIR develops model to calculate cold chain CO2 emissions
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has developed a model to calculate the CO2 emissions for each stage of the cold chain and for all countries in the world. Explained in the IIR’s latest Informatory Note, the model allows comparisons between the CO2 emissions associated with the current and “improved” versions of the global cold chain. According to […]
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Using waste heat to power a sustainable future
Future turbine optimisation could mean considerably more efficient use of waste heat from the manufacturing industry, and in so doing reduce its environmental footprint. That’s the finding by City University of London’s Dr Martin White, whose research appears in Applied Thermal Engineering. The research explores a novel organic Rankine cycle system, based on a two-phase […]
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Tensions rise over EU refrigerant transition
Debate is intensifying in Europe over the future of HFCs as the European Union eyes stricter limits on the global warming potential of refrigerants, and manufacturers push back on the proposed switch to hydrocarbons. The European Union (EU) is in the process of reviewing its F-Gas Regulation, which provides a roadmap for phasing down fluorinated […]
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Hotel quarantine ventilation back in the spotlight
The most recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria has brought renewed attention to ventilation systems in hotel quarantine. The new wave of cases began when a Victorian man returned to Melbourne after spending 14 days in the Playford medi-hotel in Adelaide. Although he initially returned a negative result, he later tested positive, and it has […]
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New DA manuals focus on commissioning
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) is releasing two Design Application (DA) manuals focusing on air distribution systems and hydronic water systems. DA04 Air System Balancing – in HVAC is a new release in AIRAH’s collection of technical resources. The manual discusses the testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) of air distribution systems […]
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Cooling demand set to rise along with temperatures
A recent study by Empa researchers has predicted that climate change could increase the cooling demand of buildings. The projection is based on climate data from Switzerland and research done at NEST, a building Empa and Eawag use for modular research. It is estimated that the average global temperatures will rise due to climate change, […]
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Building commissioning gets a boost
Standards Australia has published SA TS 5342:2021 – Technical specification for building commissioning. The document has been developed to provide industry with a common framework and consistent minimum requirements for commissioning buildings, and related activities. It has been many years in the making, with representatives from the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating […]
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NCC the key to making buildings COVID-safe?
Last week, an international group of scientists and indoor air quality (IAQ) experts called for a “paradigm shift” in combating airborne pathogens such as COVID-19 by improving indoor ventilation systems. They say that the potential benefit to public health is comparable to that achieved in the 1800s when cities started organising clean water supplies and […]